Africa in film is on the rise. There is an explosion of filmmakers and storytellers emerging from the continent with a global vision that reflects the realities of contemporary life – rapid urbanization, internet-enabled mobile phones and satellite TV in middle-class African homes. These filmmakers have burning and powerful stories they wish to tell and share with the world and these stories are as compelling and diverse as the continent, its inhabitants and its history. Therefore audiences, eager for distinct content, are turning to Africa.
African filmmakers, influenced by their native locales and the western world, deliver excellence in filmmaking, original ideas and a balance in the characters explored within their stories. These films offer a raw angle, fresh faces and explore issues that diverge from the mainstream with the emerging stories as varied and diverse as the continent itself.
However, international sales are lacking with most African countries experiencing a notable lack of distribution, people just don’t have access. Many of the movies go from production directly to DVDs, which is great for local consumers but the DVD’s will never make it abroad.
With the advent of the Internet, filmmakers are now able to get their content online making it available to a broader audience. By using the reach and power of online platforms, the creative work of African filmmakers is elevated and amplified. These platforms are a major panacea because they bring voice to stories that would otherwise not be heard and even act as a source of income for families and communities. A major feature of these distribution outlets is curation – the pushing and recommending engines develop intelligence on your personal tastes and deliver relevant content to you. Therefore, you’re able to maximize every precious moment and be fully immersed in the titles you watch.
We know you miss home – the sights, smells, food, language and more – and you’re unable to know all the great content that’s out there. So, these networks scout the world and exist to expose you to great classic movies and groundbreaking independent films because they showcase the best in storytelling and in new film talent.
There are so many amazing African stories and movies out there from all over the world – more than you’ve ever imagined: shorts, indies, festival films, forgotten classics, art-house rarities (the list goes on) and our job is to make it easy for you to find and watch them. African films deliver a certain uniqueness – each director’s creativity and style is showcased and the depth of material produced on what is typically a small budget is certainly applaudable.
iLunafriq offers the latest and best indie films from the most brilliant and creative minds in the field providing an easy way to discover new artists. We find the best and the quirkiest and serve it to you on a stellar platform designed with you in mind. Hop online and discover and fall in love with a new breed of artistic, creative and fresh filmmakers (and films) with a different style and in new genres.
When you visit iLunafriq.com, be sure to take a seat because there’s a whole continent of great stories awaiting you. You’ll find something to ignite your passion or at the very least, pique your interest.
Anwuli is the founder of iLunafriq, an SVOD platform dedicated to showcasing African films. Follow her daily findings on Twitter.
